In 2012, the KRINKO (Kommission für Krankenhaushygiene und Infektionsprävention) at the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin, German, published their new recommendations on the management of colonization and infection with Gram-negative MDR bacteria, including ESBL-E. In high-risk settings, e.g. haematology/oncology wards and intensive care units, contact isolation is recommended for all patients who are colonized or infected with ESBL-E. While recommendations of the KRINKO are not legally binding, many institutions are now integrating these suggestions into their standards of care, given the recent increase in the prevalence of ESBL-E. This development is putting a considerable strain on patients and treating physicians. Firstly, previous studies have demonstrated the negative impact of long-term isolation on the patients' frequency of contacts with health care workers, a decrease in scores for self-esteem and an increase in scores for anxiety and depression.Secondly, proper contact isolation requires treatment in a single room. Many hospitals are, however, not equipped with sufficient numbers of single rooms, to accommodate all patients carrying MDR bacteria. Apart from problems associated with contact isolation, immunocompromised patients who are colonized with ESBL-E are at an increased risk of subsequent bloodstream infections (BSI).